The first start of 2017 for Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch did not go according to plan. He was 9-of-14 for only 41 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in a loss to the Oakland Raiders. Lynch also left with an ankle injury, which will sideline him for 2-4 weeks.
After a lackluster first year in which he struggled in his limited opportunities, it’s not been a great start to the young man’s career. On Monday, his agent, Leigh Steinberg, defended his client against those who are already labeling him a bust.
#YoungGuns If people declaring a QB a "bust" in first few starts had their we never would have seen career development of @johnelway @PeytonManning36 or @TroyAikman
— Leigh Steinberg (@leighsteinberg) November 27, 2017
Steinberg also defended Lynch for being in tears on the sideline after his injury.
#Lynch @PaxtonLynch is passionate in zest to help @broncos.many players shed tears when hurt,out of frustration,pain,not televised
— Leigh Steinberg (@leighsteinberg) November 27, 2017
That part doesn’t really need defending. It is unusual to see an NFL player in tears, but it’s not unprecedented. Regardless of how common it is, though, Lynch was caught up in the emotion of it. If anything, the tears made him an easier person to root for.
Defending Lynch’s performance is harder.
It’s certainly true that quarterbacks need more than a handful of starts to be judged. Sunday was only Lynch’s third NFL start. So, labeling him a bust is premature.
That said, Lynch was a first-round draft pick in 2016 and wasn’t starting in Year 2. That put him in a rather dubious group. Worse is that even before a preseason shoulder injury, he couldn’t separate himself from the likes of Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler.
Three starts may not be enough time. But nearly two years with the team is a decent sample size. Steinberg is right. It’s still too early to label Lynch as a bust. But when he does return to the field, it will important for him to show vast improvements quickly.